Why Beginner Photographers Should Start With a Disposable Camera
Starting photography doesn’t need to be so expensive.
Like most who shoot photos and videos for a living, I often get asked for advice on taking pictures. I love that more people are interested in learning to communicate visually to tell their stories. However, I think they often see the pros using big fancy gear and feel like they need to match that. So the questions I tend to get are about what DSLR camera is easiest to start with or what lens they should get. I gave them what advice I could, but I always thought: does serious photography really need to mean “serious” gear? Does getting into photography need to be so steep?
I say, no. I think being serious about visual storytelling could be done perfectly well with the smartphones everyone has in their pockets. (Sometimes, people are surprised my own portfolio has a good share of mobile phone photography.) But I understand that it can be helpful to have a dedicated gadget that lets you focus (haha) on just taking photos.
Recently, though, I discovered an excellent solution to my own question. My coworker Louis mentioned disposable cameras and I think they’re perfect for the beginner photographer.
Yup, you read that correctly: Disposable. (Film) Cameras. Those my age or older may vaguely remember them from tourist traps and gift shops. For those who don’t know: disposable cameras are plastic cameras with a built-in roll of film. They are meant to only be used until the film runs out. You then give away the whole camera away for the film to be developed into physical photographs.
The thing about these cameras are that they have a limited amount of exposures (shots) you can take — usually 24 — instead of the near countless you can take on digital. The photos you take are also permanent and cannot be viewed or checked immediately after. As compared to other film cameras, there are virtually no options or features save for a built-in flash. So, why do this to yourself?
There are a couple reasons why these ancient things are a really great way for newbie shooters to get started. The first is that because it is stripped down to the bare bones; there is no fidgeting or fiddling with the clutter of “serious” cameras. No need to worry about aperture, ISO, shutter-speed or any of that. Everything but what is in the shot is out of your control. At best, you have a flash.
The simplicity strips it down the most fundamental technical element of photography: composition. With all the amazing features available in digital photography, during the shot or editing in post, many of the other elements of photography can be manipulated and fixed. Outside of cropping, there is little you can do about a badly composed photo. With nothing else to worry about you can focus on what is in the shot.
Shooting with the disposable camera doesn’t have to be so careful, either. Compared to a bulky DSLR or even traditional film cameras, disposables are lightweight and compact. You can pocket it or throw it in your purse or backpack. And like I mentioned before, it’s so bare-bones that it allows you to be in the moment. Sometimes, photographers — no matter the level of experience — get too wrapped up about the settings and miss the shot. A slightly flawed shot that captures the perfect moment is always, ALWAYS, better than getting a technically perfect one that completely missed it. Missed opportunities are useless photographs. I sometimes struggle with this myself so I believe learning to prioritize the moment, and shooting from the hip if necessary, is a very important lesson.
Film also teaches you to not overdo it. It seems like you can take an infinite amount of photos when you shoot digital. This is a blessing in many ways but it can easily lead to going a bit overboard. Hundreds of shots are challenging enough when you are a professional. Beginners can easily fall into the trap of being “trigger-happy” to the point of overwhelming themselves afterwards. (Trust me. Parsing through photos is the worst.) There’s virtually no cost to taking more digital photos. With film cameras, including disposables, you have a limited number of exposures. It teaches you to be thoughtful and intentional while also leaving things up to chance. Balancing these conflicting values is what makes photography beautiful. You can learn to be precise later. For now, give yourself the chance to get more unique, varied shots, even if they’re not perfect.
The last thing that I think starting with disposable film cameras teaches you is inspired by street photography legend Garry Winogrand. Notoriously prolific, the man famously said:
“Photographers mistake the emotion they feel while taking the picture as judgment that the photograph is good.”
In other words, he is saying that we tend to view the photos too emotionally and are therefore biased in judging how good it actually is.
I don’t think beginners using disposable cameras need to wait the year Winogrand tended to do for his rolls of film. But I think that since you physically cannot immediately upload your shot to Instagram as soon as you take it, it allows you to assess your progress better. I think there’s a feeling of surprise when you see your photos finally developed weeks to months after you’ve taken them. On the other hand, I think the emotion can be a good thing, too. When you have so many similar photographs, each of them become less special. Your photos fall into the dark pit of your hard-drive or cloud account. If you develop and print your film photograph, however, you have a special, physical memento of your memories. I think that is very special.
Convinced yet? Here’s how you can get started. Some drug stores still sell film and disposable cameras. You can find multipacks on Amazon for around $7 per disposable camera. Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens and even Walmart also provides developing services that will give you prints and digital files. It can be around $15 to develop and single-print 24-exposure film. Happy shooting!
